Am I ready to master professionally?

[DennisW]

Hello everybody, I have been seriously thinking about mastering audio for a living. I have mastered many songs but have never been paid for it. And while I am happy with the quality of the premasters, I am curious what many of you would have to say about them. I am looking for both some music anyone cares to get mastered free of charge and some "friendly" comments and suggestions to help me pursue this goal of mine.

Dennis.

[ed littman]

Originally Posted by theamazingninja

Hello everybody, I have been seriously thinking about mastering audio for a living. I have mastered many songs but have never been paid for it. And while I am happy with the quality of the premasters, I am curious what many of you would have to say about them. I am looking for both some music anyone cares to get mastered free of charge and some "friendly" comments and suggestions to help me pursue this goal of mine.

Dennis.

It's not as critical on what folks here think about your work as it is for the previous artists that you have mastered for already.

With that said, maybe you'll get some response posting some before & after expamples.

Ed

[Tarekith]

Suggestion:

Given the number of smaller ME's operating right now, I would find it EXTREMELY hard to get enough clients to make a living at this from day one. Have you thought about doing it part-time to build up your client list and get your name out there? That's more or less the route I took, doing it on the side for close to 10 years until I felt that I had a sustainable user-base to take that next step and do it full time.

Advice:

If you have to ask if your mastering skills are up to snuff, then in all honesty they may not be. I don't mean from a technical standpoint, but people go to a mastering engineer because they have the experience to KNOW what's the norm and how their masters will translate and relate based on this. People pay you for the confidence you inspire in them, so that they too will KNOW that their songs are ready to be played anywhere. Given that, you personally need to be 100% sure of what you're putting out there, especially if someone else is paying you.

Just my $.02, hope that didn't come across too negatively.

[macc]

^ very fair, and on the money IMO thumbsup

[huejahfink]

Originally Posted by Tarekith

If you have to ask if your mastering skills are up to snuff, then in all honesty they may not be.

That's exactly what I was thinking, but didn't want to jump in and be a negative nancy. But I think Tarekith has made a succinct and balanced post which contains this point.

To the OP, you mentioned you have been doing some work for free...

What feedback have you had from that?

How often have you heard the results of your mastering in different environments?

And through different post-processes (like converting to compressed formats, on radio, in DJ mixes etc)?

You will need enough real world feedback like this to have the confidence to not ask this question.

[Misja]

All of the above,

But fair and square. You are the one that knows really. The fact you are asking is not something that convinces me. You'll know when you are ready. When you are really confident enough to say screw all your opinions. I'm doing this so bug off! ;-)

[jackthebear]

The transition going from a "hobbyist" or novice to "professional" is a big step and it's more a mental barrier than anything else.......it's very normal to be questioning yourself.......

My only suggestion is that you take that step......what's the worst thing that can happen? It can't be "worse" than your current status......you can really only go up from this point......building your business to the critical mass takes some time........and like a car the hardest work is in the acceleration and working through the lower gears........but it ain't gonna happen unless you put the pedal to the metal......

Don't be fearful.....focus on the possibilities and not the potential "failures".....for they are only experiences and will shape you for the better....

Even Einstein said the "secret" to "genius" was to double your mistake rate.....

Just go for it dood.......don't wait for a green light from a majority vote here.......or a poll........the only stopping you is yourself.........

I wish you well in this and you'll find once you make that first step.....it will get easier as your confidence builds.......

[Misja]

Originally Posted by jackthebear

The transition going from a "hobbyist" or novice to "professional" is a big step and it's more a mental barrier than anything else.......it's very normal to be questioning yourself.......

My only suggestion is that you take that step......what's the worst thing that can happen? It can't be "worse" than your current status......you can really only go up from this point......building your business to the critical mass takes some time........and like a car the hardest work is in the acceleration and working through the lower gears........but it ain't gonna happen unless you put the pedal to the metal......

Don't be fearful.....focus on the possibilities and not the potential "failures".....for they are only experiences and will shape you for the better....

Even Einstein said the "secret" to "genius" was to double your mistake rate.....

Just go for it dood.......don't wait for a green light from a majority vote here.......or a poll........the only stopping you is yourself.........

I wish you well in this and you'll find once you make that first step.....it will get easier as your confidence builds.......

well said!

[DennisW]

Thank you all for the advice! Everyone said it very well. I have only mastered for friends and family so was always curious about whether or not they were "just being nice". But you guys are absolutely right, it only matters how I feel. And like I said, I feel I do a great job.

JackTheBear, you nailed it, I am standing in the way of myself. I just need to take the leap and do it. Thanks for your inspiration.

I think I'll take the step and try to get some paying work. I understand it would be hard to make a living when just starting out. Im not giving up my day job just yet.

Thanks again everyone!

[Disjointed]

Originally Posted by theamazingninja

Im not giving up my day job just yet. :

man, why would you ever give up being a ninja! thats a sweet ass day job!

[djanthonyw]

I thought being a ninja was a night job? Man... I'm all confused now.

[GYMusic]

Originally Posted by theamazingninja

Hello everybody, I have been seriously thinking about mastering audio for a living. I have mastered many songs but have never been paid for it. And while I am happy with the quality of the premasters, I am curious what many of you would have to say about them. I am looking for both some music anyone cares to get mastered free of charge and some "friendly" comments and suggestions to help me pursue this goal of mine.

Dennis.

I wonder if you're related to David Wetzel in Orange County? Anyway... just go do it. You live in a beautiful area there with lots of young kids itchin' to get a CD or online site together. Their parents have lots of money. Go help them out. The only way to make it in this business anymore is to go turn over rocks and see what's underneath them. Good luck.

[DennisW]

No David wetzels in our family.
But thanks for the advice. I'm gonna go for it.

[jackthebear]

Originally Posted by theamazingninja

JackTheBear, you nailed it, I am standing in the way of myself. I just need to take the leap and do it. Thanks for your inspiration.

No worries mate......us older cats should be applauding and supporting the efforts of the new skool and passing down knowledge......ignore the old jaded types.....you'll smell them from miles away.......and usually they discourage people because of their own insecurities and failures.....

Focus on being the best you can be.as opposed to just being the "best".....never forget the reason why you're doing this......and the rest will take care of itself......

[lucey]

Originally Posted by jackthebear

The transition going from a "hobbyist" or novice to "professional" is a big step and it's more a mental barrier than anything else.......it's very normal to be questioning yourself.......

My only suggestion is that you take that step......what's the worst thing that can happen? It can't be "worse" than your current status......you can really only go up from this point......building your business to the critical mass takes some time........and like a car the hardest work is in the acceleration and working through the lower gears........but it ain't gonna happen unless you put the pedal to the metal......

Don't be fearful.....focus on the possibilities and not the potential "failures".....for they are only experiences and will shape you for the better....

Even Einstein said the "secret" to "genius" was to double your mistake rate.....

Just go for it dood.......don't wait for a green light from a majority vote here.......or a poll........the only stopping you is yourself.........

I wish you well in this and you'll find once you make that first step.....it will get easier as your confidence builds.......

All good words ... you left out the part about ignoring the haters who will try to put you down. That's a key component as well

Originally Posted by jackthebear

No worries mate......us older cats should be applauding and supporting the efforts of the new skool and passing down knowledge......ignore the old jaded types.....you'll smell them from miles away.......and usually they discourage people because of their own insecurities and failures.....

Focus on being the best you can be.as opposed to just being the "best".....never forget the reason why you're doing this......and the rest will take care of itself......

Ah, there you go ...

[digitalM]

Are you able to handle all sorts of projects?
If you're interested I could send you a blumlein recording of a church choir and a brass band with some issues (I won't tell what issues though!).
Mastering this would involve mid-side processing...

Cheers,

Martijn

[WBM]

Dudes let's start the 2011 in , old cats.
I started in NJ same way doing masters for people that I know, but charging them a little $, and been an asst for an old RCA ME in NY.
Later I moved to FL and after 5 years, I realized that they're to many good ME's in every city and town in USA, so I moved to Arg (less Me's)
Search the market in cities around you but charge, you deserve it since you putting time and effort to do something right, trust and believe in yourself, if you denied the money you blocking the energy .

[DennisW]

@digitalM

To be honest, I had to google Blumlein. I hadn't heard of it before. It's sounds really interesting and I can't wait to try it someday.

I'd definitely be willing to master it for you. I'll message you my FTP info.

[PureArtist]

I have mastered many songs but have never been paid for it

Me too, but im wondering how to get paid. dfegad

[huejahfink]

Jack is right. If you think you are doing a good job, then go for it.
I'm glad someone stepped in with some pure encouragement.

If I came off negatively that was not my intention. I guess I was trying to put the ball back in your court. To be honest though, I didn't read any of the posts here particularly negatively. You have to be realistic after all. I've been running my business only for a few years but I'm still just treading water financially since most of what comes in gets reinvested almost immediately. I can't tell you whether my way is the best way, but I'm certainly glad that I have been growing slowly and have not taken out any loans since this keeps the outside pressures much lower and allows me to concentrate on my work with relative freedom.

I've generally found that an open and honest communication is very important and also that if you are supportive and understanding of others then that support will come back to you.
There are a lot of people out there that require mastering and they have very different expectations and budgets, so despite a crowded marketplace - there is a place for you. It sounds like you already have a place in your local music scene, so just keep pushing to get the work and if you are doing a good job then that news will travel.
Something I did in my first year was to offer my happy customers discounts on future work for successful referrals. That definitely helped get the word out, encouraged repeat work and let's face it, no-one is going to put their professional reputation at stake if they didn't believe in you in the first place.

I've read all kinds of bull on this board over the last couple of years about how X or Y means that 'You are not a real ME' but it's poppycock really.
The amount you get paid, the type or expense of tools you use or the length of your discography are all very well and good, but what matters most is that you get the job done right and that everyone involved is happy with the results.
An often overlooked area on this board is relevant musical experience - and no amount of spending or boasting about esoteric gear is going to change that.
Thankfully, there has been a lot of great input here too, so as long as you are willing to take a pinch of salt from time to time, then this board is certainly a great resource.

If you are using your knowledge of music and technical ability to prepare masters copies in any format, then you are a Mastering Engineer already.

As Jack mentions, mistakes are opportunities to learn and improve, so when things go wrong don't be discouraged.

Best of luck, ninja.

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by WBM

Dudes let's start the 2011 in , old cats.

Bwahahahaha ...indeed & why not.

I certainly applaud my brother Jack the Bear's encouraging words.

And I'm definitely one to use the term "Real ME" repeatedly!

Rather than go through a whole list of aspects & attributes of a full time mastering engineer,

I'll just offer my encouragement and say "go for it dude", just make sure it's what you really want.

Water seeks it's own level, you'll likely attract clients that will be a perfect fit for your skills.

But I'd also add, to not limit yourself to mastering only, it's a great big world of audio out there, recording live or in studio, mixing, sound design, post production, live sound, etc. can be very fulfilling.

Mastering is an easy target for a potential career choice these days as the tools and artist awareness are so plentiful.

One of my best buddies here in Austin would also be a fine mastering engineer, but sitting in the same room day in/day out, in close quarters with attending clients isn't for him. He much prefers a varied experience of live field recording, broadcast sound & audio gadget troubleshooting.

Best Regards, JT

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by WBM

so I moved to Arg (less Me's)

Off topic, I know, but could you fill us in on life in Argentina for someone
from the United States. I just like learning about firsthand experiences in
other nations. I said that preventatively, since the last time I had asked
someone what the relocation was like, some idiots put up Wikipedia links.

[mmarra]

Originally Posted by jackthebear

The transition going from a "hobbyist" or novice to "professional" is a big step and it's more a mental barrier than anything else.......it's very normal to be questioning yourself.......

My only suggestion is that you take that step......what's the worst thing that can happen? It can't be "worse" than your current status......you can really only go up from this point......building your business to the critical mass takes some time........and like a car the hardest work is in the acceleration and working through the lower gears........but it ain't gonna happen unless you put the pedal to the metal......

Don't be fearful.....focus on the possibilities and not the potential "failures".....for they are only experiences and will shape you for the better....

Even Einstein said the "secret" to "genius" was to double your mistake rate.....

Just go for it dood.......don't wait for a green light from a majority vote here.......or a poll........the only stopping you is yourself.........

I wish you well in this and you'll find once you make that first step.....it will get easier as your confidence builds.......

Jack has always been supportive of newbies getting into mastering. I am somewhat in the same boat as the OP. The way I find is the best is to just keep on putting yourself out there and practice or work on as many projects as you can. For me understanding why something I did sounds good is where I'm at these days. I mean I know the basics and a bit more but since I have a techy background I really like the to know "how it works" I guess you can say.

Best of luck and eventually you'll get paying clients as I finding out it takes time in this business to build your name & rep.....just be patient and work hard.

[Fabmaster]

Good words Mr. Bear.
However, you have exhausted your allotment of dots for the year.

[WBM]

Originally Posted by Mark D.

Off topic, I know, but could you fill us in on life in Argentina for someone
from the United States. I just like learning about firsthand experiences in
other nations. I said that preventatively, since the last time I had asked
someone what the relocation was like, some idiots put up Wikipedia links.

Beautiful woman's, good wine, meat, fruits with flavor (not anabolic), 20% taxes and free universal health care, hard to get gear and service not good for ME's the rest thumbsup.

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by WBM

Beautiful women, universal health care.

Thanks for the reponse.

I will start packing now.

I am just kidding people.